Improve your Paintings with Well-Designed Skies

In this video we look at the importance of using skies as a design tool in your landscape paintings. I show you three simple paintings, each of which can be improved by thinking about the way the sky has an impact on the landscape and the composition of the painting. I paint a version of each scene and then repeat the exercise using some new design elements to add some improvements.

[@dearbh1736]

Olly, the joy of your not churning out weekly videos is the absolute thrill when you do. My heart skipped several beats when I saw you had made a new tutorial for us and what a tutorial it is. I love that you don't cut corners and that you explain things in such detail because it is this 'making sense' of the choices we make that really teaches us how to improve our painting skills overall and really, that is what all good tutorials should technically do but it rarely happens. That is why these gems you give to us are so precious and very, very worthwhile to those of us who really want to learn and not just follow along a step-by-step so we can create a painting that is a near replica of that which a tutor talks us through. I'm 58 and have been painting since childhood but have learned more from you than any book or tutorial I have seen throughout my life. Thank you so very much. You are generous to a fault and it is much appreciated. From a grateful fan in Ireland 🙂

[@ms.angiesclassroom3189]

I definitely agree with your thoughts. Very greateful.

[@DeborahRivers-km4ku]

This video is particularly interesting in that you explain and demonstrate using the sky as an element of the overall composition. Thank you for the insights. I'm definitely going to give it a try!

[@DBS108]

Greetings from Cape Town, fabulous skies, light and scenery in the Western cape, you have a unique tutorial method, thanks for sharing👍 shoutout for Ollie....

[@raffahotmail6944]

God Bless you Olly, because you still make some videos available to some of us that love you, and you teaching,but can't afford patreon in these very hard times. You make me love watercolour passionally. We thank God for you and you generosity, every day!

[@pamsandhu-dickens8143]

Thank you, these tutorials are brilliant. What I love is that you explain not just the what and how but also the why, all so calmly and in a really encouraging manner. I have learnt so much after finding your channel just this week 🙏🏽

[@kristingoethals4330]

Another super helpful tutorial ! I really hope you have the time to keep on making these amazing tutorials.

[@ellengeyer5000]

An invaluable tutorial for improving landscape painting techniques. Thank you for your effort and expertise..

[@pammcreynolds]

Wonderful examples. I'm enjoying your videos very much.

[@jennybonto]

teacher, i pray you didnt bump your head. you've got a magenta dash on your forehead. been learning so much from your videos. my friends are amazed at my progress. took me 10 years to finally have the confidence to do watercolor. Bravo!

[@Linda-kh6rl]

You or outstanding for your artwork.I have learned so much from you❤

[@shelleynichols9626]

Aww JUST missed the live. But glad to have another video!

[@veronicarinker4058]

Wonderful exercise thank you!!

[@1bigheaddave]

Thanks Oliver,something new for me to think about thanks.

[@mountainsno]

Thank you so much for offering Patreon. I do have a question or suggestion: would you please consider working through an Australian landscape and perhaps comment on the light, haze, colours. I believe the principles you teach transfer to my landscape. But it would be great to see you paint a little bit of ANYWHERE in the southern hemisphere. If it's unreasonable just scroll by lol. Thank you again.

[@llipton6956]

Wow! Thank you for teaching such important, but not always obvious techniques! I really appreciate all the tutorials you create.

[@binxiao6175]

Wow, from my beginner perspective this was such a mind blowing video on how to elevate with more planning. Amazing ! Thank you Mr Pyle I am glad you decided to spread your good teaching work beyond England. I believe we can also learn teaching methods from you. I very admire the way how you break down the technical part always in steps I can follow and paint parallel . I am an absolute bloody beginner and often surprised how good my exercise looks, following your “tutorial” . Greetings from Guangzhou!

[@alinserea4179]

I love❤, the amount of information 💓,. about 💝 this 💯, 💖interesting tutorial💞 thank you for the beautiful video you share with us.💖,. 💯💓

[@artdavisstudios]

Another great video. So much info to digest. I really appreciate the way this series is put together each episode building on the previous ones. I million thank yous.

[@lmlnc]

Great tutorials. I am really enjoying them. Thank you!

[@user-op8dh9ic6m]

Thank you for your wonderful videos, you are truly inspiring!

[@dianmoffatt9915]

Your video content is thoroughly appreciated and helped my efforts exceed my expectations. Thank you so much!

[@zackorywyatt8986]

Just found your channel and have learned more in the time than elsewhere. Thank you very much

[@kathsoulsby873]

Another excellent video packed with so much information…most of it I hadn’t even thought of before! Showing the two different ways of painting the same scene was so helpful. I am glad I was able to sign up for your Patreon and look forward to your future videos…Thanks so much.

[@mingyzhang]

I love it when you talk about the light and its effects.

[@tinyfacemcgee9211]

I love your KZbin channel! A good way for us not on patroon to support you might be a book on Amazon….I love the slow paint along landscape to learn highlights and edges, never heard someone else teach that and I have so many watercolor books! I want to support you too, just not on patroon. Or a single purchase paint slowly along class would do it too! Thank you for your mastery💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

The book is currently in the editing phase......

[@user-fx4qc6pz8g]

Fantastic training! You are unique and a gem. Thank you so much from Denver, Colorado.

[@lindyhyam1495]

Absolutely so helpful. So many light lightbulb moments. Thanks Olly!

[@karenleah1477]

Thank you, thank you. !!! That was awesome . 😊

[@deannam7551]

This has been a great tutorial. I've been looking for help in understanding composition and your videos are exactly what I needed. The side-by-side demos are invaluable! Thank you!

[@spinningjinn]

Thanks for this! It's really informative. I love the comparisons to show how small changes can improve a painting so very much!

[@ms.angiesclassroom3189]

Thank you so much for these videos. They go far beyond just a tutorial. I've been painting for years but your videos remind me of the importance of certain elements, to the things which I've just started to neglect in my paintings. Thank you

[@kathywilden7702]

Love it! Thank you again for a very helpful advice on painting skies and composition.

[@DottieSmithArizona]

Thank you Oliver! I have watched several of your videos and learned more from the few than so many others combined. Can't wait to put what I've learned into practice and then watch again to pick up more techniques.

[@kathleenpotter8453]

Wow! Showing the comparison between the tow compositions was so helpful! Thanks Olly!

[@thomasf55]

Thank-you so much for this lesson! I found it very helpful, and it was so well presented.

[@garypatch5336]

Thanks Oliver, really accessible and super helpful. Lots to think about in my compositions.

[@cherirose6660]

You’re videos are absolutely wonderful! Thank you for your dedication helping other artists on their journey. I’ve learned so much in this one video…..amazing!! What a gift you have Oliver🎨👏

[@lemonade708]

This was such an eye-opening tutorial, how even the angle of the clouds could aid in the composition of the painting. Thank you ever so much for these wonderful tips Olly, I find myself learning something new each time I watch your a video of yours.

[@sarahjanewheatley5472]

Thanks so much for this wonderful series and for all your other content on KZbin. It makes me value the skill and time it takes to paint really beautiful pictures.

[@nancyrobert2424]

Thank you so much for these 2 paintings. I have learnt a lot between this and your excerise video which l am going g to do every day Merry Christmas. and Happy New Year Nancy R. North Bay Ontario Canada

[@MrPeterjba]

I think this is one of your best teaching classes EVER. I have gained so much from it - thank you! (PS: love the squadron of bombers)

[@meriembensemane5281]

Greetings from Massachusetts 👋 thank you so much for your helpful and so informative tutorials!

[@Allyballybean]

I always struggle when artists talk about good and bad composition. To be honest I see both estuary paintings as equally good. I liked the first one when you painted it, and I liked the second one. I also didn’t find my eyes rushing out of the first picture (or any other picture for that matter) - I quite like the landscape illuminated from the right. I wonder if some of the wisdom about composition is custom and self-fulfilling. Or maybe it’s just a bit too subtle to make much difference in this case? Or my brain is wired up differently to everyone else? Having said that - I could see how the converging diagonal clouds made a better painting. Thanks for generously sharing your skills.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Some very interesting points here Al - and ones that certainly resonate with me. The thinking behind compositional study is to overcome an issue that I call spatial constraint; when we are outside we never think about composition as our eye is free to roam, unrestrained. In a painting, what we see is only a small clip, constrained by four sides and so the artist has to select a combination of shapes and ideas to communicate their experience of the landscape. Good composition removes a confusing experience for the eye, allowing it focus on the edit that the artist has selected from the landscape. However - and it's a big however - I've just written a chapter in my forthcoming book where I paint a series of paintings that pay no heed to the normal rules of composition, instead just reflecting my immediate reaction to the landscape without any compositional tinkering. They have an honesty and directness to them that more considered compositions miss. So, I get your point. Composition - often important, often irrelevant! It's a painting paradox.

[@joel6376]

>The viewer's eye usually goes first to the area of greatest contrast in a painting. This is where the focal point often is. The contrast in value (dark against the light) is the most noticeable, but the contrast in colors, shapes, color temperature or textures can also be distinctive and attract the viewer's eye. In the first one this is the horizon In the second one it is the hill/church which has the boats directly below it. In the first pair the hill has much higher contrast in the second example. Try flicking your eyes away then back to focus on each example and see where your eye lands.

[@susalu100]

You are a fantastic teacher. I usually get bored at videos, but yours are so interesting that can't stop seeing until the end. I have been painting all my (long) life and love art on paper (WC, pastels, collage, etc) and I'm astonished because I see that my WC painting keeps going better and better following your advice. I feel enthusiastic again about this material that I've always loved. Thank you!

[@moma-b]

Oh, I missed the live stream. 🙁 Will watch it later.

[@adunzoroq33]

Wow! Just wow! That burnt sienna drop just brought so much life into the second practice landscape. As usual so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your techniques with us here 🧑‍🎨

[@ceeskraaijeveld8360]

Thank you so much for sharing, learned a ton as a beginner!

[@veroniquegauthier1427]

So enlightening ! Thank you very much !

[@poppyburns3807]

Lots to think about. Really useful. Thank you so much.

[@pauline3379]

Great tutorial Oliver, thank you.

[@TariqNU]

Brilliant tutotial with great explanation !

[@joyceblenkinsop1634]

Wonderful tutorials Oliver .I’m learning soooo much .thank you .Joyce .

[@waiyeetoll1929]

This tutorial is very good. I like how you show the composition technic to emphasize the focal point!!

[@smokeyalmond6039]

Wonderfully explained, thank you!

[@yvonnegeelen6571]

Just loving this sky series Thankyou so much for sharing I am learning so much…

[@barbaragemin5117]

Excellent tutorial, thank you very much Oliver. Composition design is something we tend to overlook with all the other elements of the painting we need to consider. I’m a new subscriber and enjoying your demos very much.

[@robc9706]

Thank you Oliver .. excellent information as always.

[@dianemcgregor6171]

Just watched this one again as its has so many inspiring ideas for me when I get stuck. Thanks Ollie.

[@kerriclarke9366]

Very informative - as usual 😊. Always look forward to your video tutorials ❤. I have learnt so much, so many thanks.

[@adamcook5940]

You make it look so simple! Fabulous depiction of light and I'm going to practise and practise. Thank you, you really do inspire me!

[@suel4269]

Wow! This was very helpful! Thankyou !

[@judylangmuir3600]

What was fabulous class/lesson! Thank you for all the detailed thoughts and great demo....

[@voliabrandaolaveneremachad7849]

Thanks a lot for the great tips!

[@MB-kf3yx]

I found this video, which highlighted design elements that could improve the sky and composition, to be thought provoking and very helpful. I clearly need to focus more on the composition before I start painting! Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@pk3679]

I love the content on skies that you are sharing with us all here on your channel. I have seen many videos on how to paint various techniques or things in landscapes, but pulling it all together as you do is helping me in a much bigger way. Building confidence in my watercolour painting is so important to me. Not that I intend to now go out and throw around paint with abandon (like some teachers on KZbin encourage me to do), but by using your more thoughtful considered method I am seeing my work improve and with that my confidence. Thank you for all of your hard work done bringing this to us. Grateful USA (Oregon state) student.

[@celiaberthelon1628]

Thank you very much! Your videos are so fantastic! 👍🥰

[@Bets1202]

Your skies are beautiful. Great choices of colors.

[@AliceDel]

incredibly helpful video, thank you! although i have to say, in the second duo of paintings, i loved the scene where the yellow glow in the sky was in the center. it looked like something Turner might have painted. :) thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience so generously.

[@germainenyssen421]

Thank you Oliver

[@jaquelineballantine1489]

Olly you are a masterful artist and teacher. I always know I’m going to gain invaluable knowledge and helpful techniques when I watch your tutorials. Thank you for explaining your skill and experience with us mere mortals 😂

[@frankjoedicke5307]

Thx for your wonderful tutorial 👍👍👍👋.

[@davidkemp1585]

So nice to see you again, relax & learn. Many thanks from US Midwest. Lots of landscape here

[@manuelgutierrez6367]

Muy buena lección Oliver. Muchas gracias.

[@liaclark2393]

this is a great way to show better compositions , it is extremely useful for one that did not study art, thank you for sharing your skills, just love your style of painting "SUGGESTIONS !!

[@stevec-b6214]

This is pure gold information, beautifully and clearly presented. Over the last year or so since I retired and started painting more regularly, I have gradually reduced the number of other channels I watch. Its actually now just one ;)

[@normaneames5901]

Very helpful, thank you Oliver.

[@ThomasNordlund]

This was excellent, thank you!

[@ankeshmbbs]

This was a solid tutorial ❤

[@christinacasteel3198]

It is wonderful to see you back🎉

[@johnstout5767]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@susannewakerley7552]

I really enjoyed your video. It helps to unpick the mystery of why does my work look like its "paint by numbers" - fab tutorial, thank you very much.

[@rhondacalabro867]

Wonderful teacher. Thanks again for generously sharing with us.

[@jeffiner9947]

I'm a beginner painter and I'm so glad I found your channel. ?

[@JayKay0245]

Excellent video!

[@interiorsefforts]

beautiful painting .

[@gogokp9276]

Thanks and greetings frm Slovenia...

[@heronalvarez3600]

Gracias Maestro!

[@Richard-ou6uw]

Smashing tutorial 👍very informative

[@Wendy8888]

Thank you Oliver.

[@mariaantoniafernandezgonza800]

Buen día 😊. Muy didáctico. Un millón de gracias por compartir su arte.

[@nancybrink3701]

Thank you Oliver. I never thought of these things while doing the sky. Valuable lesson...so much to think about

[@youngyuk]

Great tutorial!

[@Arte_e_design]

Thank you Oliver 😊

[@brucemckenziefraser139]

Thank you, yet again, for another useful video. The points you make explain so expertly the why of our craft. I can see that the principles here can be applied to all types of genre, not simply landscapes. I particularly like how you weave in creating drama and emotion, both of which play into the storytelling aspect of what we produce as artwork.

[@alinserea4179]

I love❤, the amount of information 💓,. about 💝 this 💯, 💖interesting tutorial💞 thank you for the beautiful video you share with us.💖,. 💯💓

[@ChantelleArts]

Great tutorial! ☺

[@daleshawn1910]

Wonderful!

[@jennyfreidooni6412]

Thank you so much Olly for all your efforts and amazing content. You have a natural gift to teach - much appreciated. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jennyfreidooni6412]

The Seagull or airplanes ✈️ 😂 - good one

[@user-kc1bg9gn5p]

Fantastic

[@dufoureric1180]

Thank you very much

[@yipyip2020yip]

Thanks so much ~

[@zbigniewgomski3754]

Bardzo cenne wskazówki .